Teacher fired for MCAS violation reinstate

A Kingston Intermediate School teacher fired last year after accusations she improperly aided students taking the MCAS exam has been reinstated.

By Julie Jette

A Kingston Intermediate School teacher fired last year after accusations she improperly helped students taking the MCAS exam has returned to work in the Silver Lake Regional School District.

Under a settlement between the Kingston Teachers Association and the district, veteran teacher Lisa Desharnais was returned to the district’s payroll on July 23. She will not receive back pay as part of the settlement, but will not lose seniority or other benefits as a result of her year away from the district. Before she was fired, she had worked in the district for 10 years.

Will Evans, an attorney for the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said that Desharnais worked part of the past year teaching in a private school.

In a joint statement, Kingston Teachers Association president Stacia Leavitt and Silver Lake Superintendent Dana Parker said there was “inconclusive” evidence that Desharnais gave students improper assistance on the 2006 MCAS exams, and that the two sides decided to settle the matter.

A parent who contacted The Patriot Ledger said that during the administration of a third-grade MCAS test, Desharnais supposedly had told students they needed to recheck their work if she tapped their desk when she walked by. Several parents who spoke with the Patriot Ledger at the time said they were dismayed by Desharnais’ quick firing and were upset because they felt she was a good teacher.

Desharnais is now working at Kingston Elementary School as a teacher in its Title I reading program. She has been on the job since being reinstated, performing administrative work and preparing for the school year, Evans said.

Desharnais was fired on Aug. 21, 2006 after a parent made a complaint to the intermediate school’s principal, Doris Claypool, who has since left to work elsewhere. At the time, Silver Lake Superintendent Dana Parker said the school fired Desharnais after investigating the complaint.

In a statement released by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Desharnais said she was eager to return to work.

“I am pleased to be able to put this matter behind me and get back to doing what I do best - teaching,” she said.

Reached at her home in Halifax, Desharnais said she could not comment beyond her statement; Evans, the laywer for the union, said the parties had agreed not to discuss details of the settlement.

Also in a statement from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Kingston Teachers Association president Stacia Leavitt said: “I’m saddened that she was accused in the first place, but relieved and glad to see her return to work.”

Evans said that the school district and Desharnais met during six days of hearings before an arbitrator between March and July before settling the matter. He said at least a dozen witnesses were called to testify.

“We were consistent throughout that at no point did she offer inappropriate assistance,” Evans said.

Evans said that Desharnais had no previous blemishes on her record and that the school district didn’t raise any other issues regarding her performance in the course of the arbitration.

One parent of a student at Kingston Intermediate whose son had Desharnais in class said she was pleased to see her returned to the teaching ranks.

“She was one of his best teachers in every way,” said Laura Lundstedt. “I think it’s great news that we’re getting her back and I’m sure she’s going to prove that she’s a really good teacher.”

Parker announced last week that he would resign from Silver Lake after two years as superintendent to take a job with the May Institute, a school for autistic children in Randolph. He said Monday the settlement had no bearing on his departure from Silver Lake.

Julie Jette of The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass.) may be reached at jjette@ledger.com.

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